Hawaii Pacific University

HPU has an excellent pre-med program along with pre-med advising with Dr. Louis Primavera. Admission to healthcare professional schools (medicine or one of the related health professions – dentistry, optometry, veterinary and others) is very competitive but a realistic goal for capable students who carefully plan their undergraduate degree programs. Most professional schools value multi-talented applicants who possess a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences. Hawai'i Pacific University does not recommend one specific academic major for students planning to apply to healthcare professional schools. Instead, students are advised to pursue their minor in Pre-Medical Studies in addition to their chosen major. Currently, humanities or non-science majors may have a slight advantage in terms of medical school admissions (due to perceived versatility). However, the path of a science major to medical school is probably shorter due to the number of courses taken. A minor in pre-medical studies degree would allow any major at HPU to pursue a career in medicine (or any other healthcare profession of their choice) regardless of their formally declared major program of study. The premise behind this minor program is that any HPU major will be able to initiate their studies to achieve success on their healthcare professional school qualifying examinations.

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Learn more about their marine biology program here!

Hawaii Pacific University is a wonderful place to study Marine Biology or Oceanography and we appreciate your interest in our programs. The Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology or Oceanography consists of a rigorous sequence of courses designed to prepare students for graduate work or employment in the field of marine biology. Additionally, we are working closely with the Oceanic Institute, teaching classes, conducting research projects that providing opportunities for student practicum experiences. I invite you to visit the OI website at www.oceanicinstitute.org Many opportunities may arise during your four years that are unique to HPU students. HPU partcipates in NOAA's Pacific Islands Regions Stranding Network under the director of HPU Assistant Biology Professor Dr. Kristi West. In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), HPU's assigned response area consists of the main Hawaiian Islands, but upon request by NMFS, HPU may assist in the stranding response outside of its assigned response area. Students interested in Marine Biology should have at least 3.5 GPA in Math and Science and 550s or higher on the math and critical reading section of the SAT.

Check out the programs Hawaii Pacific has to offer here: http://www.hpu.edu/academic_catalog/majors_we_offer.html